Tropidelic/Boogie Matrix: Merging hip-hop and reggae beats with aplomb, Tropidelic is tapping a long-worn tree with a freshness that hasn't been found in the scene for a long while (think mid-era 311 or Chroncitis-style Slightly Stoopid). Tropidelic 2012's All Heads Unite shows the band bridging countless genre gaps. Honestly, even the brief album opener, "Introlood," is an enticing listen. "Only Rider" and "Ain't No Game" offer a solid one-two punch that displays the sonic contrast throughout the album — the band's catalog at large. Around the time this album came out, Tropidelic were really coming into their own. In the interim, they've grown into one of Northeast Ohio's must-see live acts. Their show is a party. Oh, and they're in Cleveland proper next week, so you've got a chance to double-down on all things heady this month. 9 p.m., $8-$10. The Kent Stage. (Eric Sandy)

Iced Earth/Sabaton/Revamp: Iced Earth's nearly 30-year run makes them a staple of any metal fan's collection. Jon Schaffer's hard-hitting, riff-heavy rhythm guitar playing has been the base of the band, and he's surrounded himself with some incredible musicians over the years. Actually, the band has rotated through about 30 different members including singers Matt Barlow and Tim Owens. Currently, Stu Block takes the mic, appearing on their latest release: Plagues of Babylon. This album is full of darkly epic metal masterpieces that Iced Earth fans have come to expect from this exceptional band. "Among the Living Dead" is an intensely huge and morbid soundscape about wandering hoards of zombie-like creatures. The darkness continues in "Cthulhu," a massively heavy tune about the rising of an evil demigod. While the band's sound has evolved over the decades, Schaffer went to great lengths to prevent an overproduced recording, wanting to maintain that waste-laying sound of Iced Earth's live performances you can hear on the Plagues of the World tour. 6 p.m., $20 ADV, $25 DOS. Agora Ballroom. (Eric Gonzalez)

The Jimmy Jack Band: 9:30 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Kentucky Thunder: 9 p.m. Thirsty Cowboy.

Brent Kirby: 8 p.m. Brothers Lounge.

Mates of State/Bethesda: Beyond the longevity of Mates of State's rock 'n' roll marriage, the duo continues to release new and challenging works. They constantly switch things up dramatically from one album to the next. The relatively straightforward indie rock on their debut My Solo Project was offset by the synth-laden, increasingly complex tracks on 2011's Mountaintops. Regardless of the album, the music burns with energy. Driven by bouncy hooks and beautiful singing, tracks like "Maracas" and "Unless I'm Led" passionately move the listener to elevated head spaces. Locals Bethesda and Leah Lou & the 2 Left Shoes open the show. Both groups offer their outstandingly unique takes on indie pop. 9 p.m., $12. Grog Shop. (Patrick Stoops)

Erik Norlander & Band/Krypton Monkeys: 8 p.m., $15. The Winchester.

Obnox CD Release/The Fuzz/Royal Blood/Shitbox Jimmy: Lamont Thomas has been busy. Under the name of Obnox, he has put out three albums and a bunch of EPs and singles in the past three years alone. The creative energy coming from this guy is indomitable, and that's reflected on his latest, Louder Space. Grungy guitars and decisive percussion punctuate layers of rhythm-fueled grittiness in songs such as "Molecule," "Who Needs You" and "Best Time of My Life." Horns make their appearance in "Red I," while "Mecca Son Shine" has an almost industrial feel, giving the whole album an eclectic sound. This multifarious collection of songs isn't a scattered mess, though; where the sound varies in mood and texture, Thomas manages to keep it all tied together nicely. 9 p.m., $5. Now That's Class. (Liz Trenholme)

Railroad Earth: These guys have been helming the burgeoning newgrass scene to some degree since the early 2000s. They quickly became known for an exciting live show that stretches the boundaries of whatever genre they happen to be tapping at the moment. Elko, Railroad Earth's first live album, is mandatory listening. Top-tier versions of some of their best tunes appear on this one, and it's the perfect entry point for the uninitiated. "Mighty River," in particular, is just incredible. Andrew Altman weaves a groovy bass line beneath the band's dynamic strings team (acoustic and electric guitar, banjo, mandolin, violin). Bear in mind, though, that you're in jam band territory with this crew. This song, like so many others in their repertoire, blossoms into a full-throttled shakedown with Tim Carbone throwing feral violin riffs into the mix with abandon. Lastly, props are due for one of the coolest band names on tour these days (culled from Jack Kerouac's short story "October in the Railroad Earth"). 8 p.m., $20 ADV, $23 DOS. House of Blues. (Sandy)

Michael Stanley and the Resonators: Last year was a solid year for heartland rocker Michael Stanley. The guy self-released his new album, The Ride, which came on the heels of last year's The Hang, an introspective album he's referred to as his darkest release yet. The Ride presents a much more positive perspective, something that's reflected in Stanley's more regular live appearances (last year, he held down a four-night stand at the Tangier). And he's just recently yet another studio album, The Job. Expect to hear MSB favs as well as a good sampling of Stanley's solo material as the guy opens a multi-night stand at the Tangier. 8:30 p.m., $45-$90. Tangier Cabaret. (Jeff Niesel)

Patrick Sweany Band/Whiskey Daredevils: A Massillon native who cut his musical teeth playing the indie rock clubs in Northeast Ohio, singer-songwriter Patrick Sweany has just recently started playing Cleveland again after taking a hiatus of sorts. Sweany, who moved from Cleveland to Nashville several years ago, came through town last year to promote the fifth anniversary of Every Hour is a Dollar Gone, the terrific roots-rock album that paired him with Black Keys singer-guitarist Dan Auerbach. Last year, he released Close to the Floor, another terrific album of gritty garage blues, so expect to hear songs from it at this show. 9 p.m., $10. Musica. (Niesel)

The Womack Family Band/Nate Jones Band/Rachel Brown & the Beatnik Playboys: The folksy roots of America's early music live strong within the songs of local heroes, the Womack Family Band. Their slow-paced guitar lines intermixed with three-part vocal harmonies harken to a simpler lifestyle closer to country living than bustling city life. This group of friends have created their own musical family, and the closeness and unity of their personal lives weaves its way into their music with the instrumentation and orchestration. Their most recent record The Blue Room, is a quiet effort that features delicate guitar lines and gentle vocals. The attention they put into the little details of their music pays off tenfold. 8 p.m., $10-$15. The Kent Stage. (Stoops)